Brief: Placard sting at SMC

Santa Monica Police officers confiscated 21 disabled parking placards and eight preferential parking permits Wednesday that were being misused by students at Santa Monica College or those using facilities there.

SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler, of the Traffic Enforcement Section, said the sting operation lasted from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Police have been cracking down on those who are using disabled parking placards illegally, confiscating over 150 placards since November, Trisler said.

The placards give the owner the right to park in spots designated for the disabled, but also allows for free parking at meters and in residential zones with restricted parking.

It makes them a highly valuable commodity for those that don’t want to cough up the cash to meet Santa Monica’s newly-raised metered parking prices or contend with the new smartmeters, which know when people attempt to overstay their welcome in on-street spots.

One of the goals of the sting is to make sure those with disabilities are able to find parking spaces.

Those caught breaking the law can face a misdemeanor or a fine of up to $4,200.